Citizen Science Puts Weather Reporting in Your Hands

A distant shower falls over Mount Martha, NH (aka, Cherry Mountain).

If you’re anything like me, you probably have an app or two dedicated to weather on your phone. Maybe you have a preferred app for weather forecasts, another for radar data, and yet another for satellite data. Or maybe instead of apps, you have several go-to websites bookmarked for various weather data.

Weather information keeps us informed so that we can prepare appropriately for the weather ahead, short-term or long-term. With colder weather in the forecast, we might pack a few extra layers or pull in a few more logs for the stove. Or, we might receive a warning about a severe storm heading your direction, and so we pack up, head indoors, and keep an eye on its progress.

While your favorite apps or websites might be providing you with weather data, did you know there are a few apps/sites that you can utilize and provide current weather data to aid in research as a citizen scientist?

Here are some apps that I have on my phone and might be of interest to you:

Mountain Rain or Snow

Remote sensing is improving and aiding in filling weather data gaps. However, precipitation phase changes can be difficult over mountainous terrain, and weather stations only provide information at a static location. That is where human observations aid in detailing how precipitation phase changes vary in time and space. Using these apps, with a few taps you can send observations of precipitation during storms at your location.

Forecasting

NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory is collecting weather reports through the free app mPING. What’s “mPING?” It is an acronym for Meteorological Phenomena Identification Near the Ground. The data in turn help define the precipitation that is falling at your location and improve forecasts and radar techniques. That in turn filters down to improve those various other weather apps you might be using for forecasts and radar data.

Cloud Types and Sky Conditions

GLOBE Observer Clouds can be used to observe clouds, mosquito habitats, land cover, and trees. With the cloud observation aspect, you can help document cloud cover, cloud types, cloud opacity, sky conditions, visibilities, and surface conditions along with photographic examples. It is a bit more involved than the prior reporting apps, but with a few taps and snaps, you can contribute your real-world observations for better understanding and interpretation of satellite data vs surface data.

Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer & Meteorologist

2906, 2012

Sunset

adm_mwobs2012-06-29T23:56:53-04:00June 29th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Sunset 2012-06-29 23:56:53.000 - Steve Welsh, Weather Observer/IT Specialist Sunset For me a sunset usually signals the end of my work day, it's the time to relax and unwind, the time to forget about work for a few hours and take in the scenery and to just

2806, 2012

Messy Summer Days

adm_mwobs2012-06-28T14:18:21-04:00June 28th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Messy Summer Days 2012-06-28 14:18:21.000 - Mike Carmon, Weather Observer/Meteorologist Foggy Summit Messy.That's the best way I can describe the first 24 hours or so of our shift week. Since we arrived yesterday morning, the fog on the summit has been thick, rain has been falling on

2606, 2012

Summit Volunteers Comment

adm_mwobs2012-06-26T16:26:21-04:00June 26th, 2012|Categories: Historical Posts|

Summit Volunteers Comment 2012-06-26 16:26:21.000 - Christy Keefe and Kelley Brown, Summit Volunteers Clearing and Undercast Yesterday Afternoon. Hi, I'm Christy and I'm finishing my third volunteer stint here at the summit. I come from Connecticut where I am a teacher. And I'm Kelley, the other volunteer

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